Vanderjagt confirmed as Academy football coach; Parents, students support Vanderjagt in getting Charter coaching job back

Parents, students support Vanderjagt in getting Charter coaching job back

ROGER LALONDE

3:00 AM, Jun 5, 2012

Roger LaLonde/Staff
Mike Vanderjagt, with parents and student athletes who want Vanderjagt reintstated as the Marco Island Charter Middle School football coach. He has been suspended since March when an incident occurred between Vanderjagt and a student after school. A large number of people surprised Vanderjagt at his restaurant to support his reinstatement on Friday night.

Mike Vanderjagt was surprised on Friday night when many parents and student-athletes came to his restaurant in support of him returning as the Marco Island Charter Middle School football coach.

Vanderjagt was suspended from coaching after an incident at the school in March.

Another positive action was that the boy involved in the incident that caused his suspension has asked Principal George Abounader if he would consider letting Vanderjagt coach again.

In an email response on Friday, Abounader said, "The student asked me if I would consider letting Mr. Vanderjagt coach next year." Abounader did not give further details of the conversation, nor did he return phone calls or an email on Monday.

The boy's father told the Daily News on Monday that Vanderjagt should get a second chance.

The incident involved a student on the school grounds after school was out and Vanderjagt was picking up his son. It occurred on March 12 in the school parking lot.

The police report said the student had taunted Vanderjagt on missing an important field goal while he was the field goal kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. Vanderjagt is in the NFL record book for most consecutive field goals ever made.

The report further indicated Vanderjagt grabbed the student by the throat after being taunted by the student. Vanderjagt said he placed his hand on the student's shoulder, at the base of his neck, to hold him in place while he talked with him.

The police report went to the State's Attorney's office where it was decided there was no cause for charges to be filed.

The issue was discussed at the Charter School Board meeting on May 23. The board voted, 4-2, to leave the decision up to Abounader, saying it wanted to hear back from him in two weeks. Abounader said the deadline was more of a suggestion.

Abounader said he has been very busy with the school year ending and eighth grade graduation on Wednesday night.

Roger Raymond, the athletic director at the Charter School and Marco Island Academy Charter High School, confirmed on Friday that Vanderjagt will be the school's first football coach in the fall. Raymond had indicated before the incident that he wanted Vanderjagt to coach, and that Vanderjagt would head both teams. The Charter School had its first season of football last fall, and won seven of eight games.

"I told my (Academy) board that if no charges were filed he would be the coach," Raymond said. "None were filed and he's the coach, that simple."

Vanderjagt said, "I signed on long ago to be the head coach for the high school, I have the knowledge to build another successful program."

Kat Bray, one of Vanderjagt's supporters at the surprise gathering, had a list of people who would go to speak with Abounader. She had about 30 and expected more people on the list when she gives it to Abounader.

"I spoke with him (Abounader) about providing a list of supporters," Bray said. "He said he would invite them into his office after the school wrapped up. It is really sad that it has come to this point. It should

be over."

From parents, kids and coaches who have worked with Vanderjagt the theme was, "The people who know him are supporting him, those that don't aren't."

Many spoke on how Vanderjagt has given his time to aid local sports. He has been a volunteer coach for Marco Optimist Club soccer and basketball, while at the Charter School he has been head coach for football and soccer and assisted the track team.

"I take my hat off to him," said Greg West, whose son will be on the Charter football team next fall. "He's wonderful for the island."

Jim Prange, who has a son who will be on the Charter School football team, supports Vanderjagt.

"When Mike's around kids it is just absolutely incredible. They all look up to him. He's like the Pied Piper. He's extremely fair and encourages all the kids to participate in sports."

Charter student Vincent Moller, who has played football and basketball under Vanderjagt, spoke highly of him.

"Overall he is a great coach," Moller said. "He's a funny guy and hard to get him mad. He is a very good role model."

Cameron Robeau played football on the Charter School's first team.

"He can be tough, but also fair," he said of Vanderjagt. "He doesn't pick favorites. Overall, he's a great coach for any sport he coaches."

Hayden Warren has a grandson, Jake, who wants to play for Vanderjagt, who assisted Optimist football coaches at times last season.

"He's a down-to-earth guy," Warren said of Vanderjagt. "Kids all respect him. He needs a fair shake."

Eddie Webb, an Optimist football coach, who received Vanderjagt's help at the end of last season, is in Vanderjagt's corner.

"Mike is a leader and a teacher of young students and athletes to be," he said.